Steven Disla is the Instructional Designer for the Center for Nutrition Studies and helped create the latest certificate program which focuses on the nexus between food, the environment, and governmental and economic policy. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Asheville with degrees in Mass Communication and International Studies. Currently he is working on developing a permaculture food forest in North Carolina.

The Hidden Universe Within: Feeding and Nurturing the Microbiome
The Hidden Universe Within: Feeding and Nurturing the Microbiome

Imagine stepping into a vibrant zoo or, better yet, a bustling planetary system where trillions of creatures of staggering diversity roam, interact, and shape entire worlds. That might sound fantastical, but it’s the everyday reality tucked within us: our microbiome. A landmark study estimated that a typical adult has approximately 30 trillion human cells and … Continued


Seeds of Resilience: Why Dwindling Food Biodiversity Matters for Our Future
Seeds of Resilience: Why Dwindling Food Biodiversity Matters for Our Future

Our future food security depends as much on what we eat as on the seeds we choose to protect. A diverse diet generally promotes better human health, while crop diversity strengthens the resilience of farms and ecosystems. Yet, over the past century, we have lost the vast majority of our seed varieties, leaving the global … Continued


A Perennial Future: Agriculture’s Next Evolution
A Perennial Future: Agriculture’s Next Evolution

For much of modern history, agriculture has relied on annual crops like corn, soy, and wheat. These crops dominate farmland and anchor global markets, but their short lifespans come at a steep ecological cost. In the conventional agriculture systems that dominate today, annual fields must be plowed, seeded, fertilized, and sprayed every year, creating constant … Continued


The EAT-Lancet Diet: A First Step toward a Healthier Planet and Healthier People
The EAT-Lancet Diet: A First Step toward a Healthier Planet and Healthier People

As the global population climbs toward ten billion and environmental pressures intensify, the connection between what we eat and the health of the planet is clearer than ever. Food production is a leading driver of environmental degradation, fueling climate change, deforestation, freshwater depletion, pollution, and biodiversity loss. In fact, agriculture is pushing us beyond at … Continued


Planetary Boundaries 101: What They Are, Why They Matter, and How Food Impacts Each One
Planetary Boundaries 101: What They Are, Why They Matter, and How Food Impacts Each One

Planetary boundaries are a set of scientifically defined environmental limits within which humanity can sustainably survive. These thresholds establish a “safe operating space” for human development, ensuring that the earth’s systems remain stable and resilient. Crossing these boundaries increases the risk of triggering large-scale, potentially irreversible environmental changes. The concept was introduced in 2009 by … Continued


How to Reduce Your Water Footprint through Smarter Food Choices
How to Reduce Your Water Footprint through Smarter Food Choices

Water is often described as the most essential element for life on Earth, yet it is a resource we frequently take for granted, especially when it comes to the food we eat. While we may be mindful of turning off the faucet while brushing our teeth or fixing leaky taps, the vast majority of our … Continued


How Our Food Choices Could Help Reforest the Planet
How Our Food Choices Could Help Reforest the Planet

The global food system lies at the center of some of today’s most urgent environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and deforestation. Yet it also offers one of our greatest opportunities: the chance to reforest vast areas of the planet by rethinking what we eat. Nearly half of the world’s habitable land is currently … Continued


The Hidden Cost of Glyphosate: Milkweed and Monarchs
The Hidden Cost of Glyphosate: Milkweed and Monarchs

Monarch butterflies have long captured the hearts of millions. Their delicate orange-and-black wings, extraordinary migration spanning thousands of miles from Canada to Mexico, and symbolic connection to transformation make them one of nature’s most beloved creatures. Monarchs are more than just insects: they’re a miracle of evolution and a source of wonder. But beneath their … Continued


Toxic Trade-Offs: How Banned Pesticides Still Enter the US Food Supply
Toxic Trade-Offs: How Banned Pesticides Still Enter the US Food Supply

Despite growing scientific consensus around the dangers of certain pesticides, many of these chemicals continue to be produced, used, and consumed around the world—even in countries where they’ve officially been banned. This global dissonance is particularly stark when comparing pesticide regulations in the European Union (EU) and the United States. Relying heavily on the precautionary … Continued


Deepen Your Knowledge With Our

Plant-Based Nutrition


Certificate

Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate

  • 23,000+ students
  • 100% online, learn at your own pace
  • No prerequisites
  • Continuing education credits